Morris tribune., 1887-01-05
TWO SLEIGH RIDES.
Jingle, jingle, jingle,

'wn In q recess OF a deep bay window
awing the curtains aside to look
stfully out upon the gay scene.
AS she did SO an elegant sleigh dashed
to the door, and gentleman. muf
d to the chin in frs, sprung out, and
n Familiarity up the broad stone
cps.
Gerald Cosgrove" exclaimed Lucia
herself. And Flossic is gone of
.lth some one else. Oh, what a ter.
BILE fiirt she is! But she has so many
minister to her happiness and
easure that she cannot appreciate
leir devotion, All, me- ii had but
he OF the hearts she thinks so lightly
to care for my happiness"
- But at that instant the door-bel
ing, and Lucia went herself to admit
le visitor
''Oh, Mr.. Cosgrove" she began; the
weet sympathy OF a kind heart show,
lg itself in her dark, expressive eyes,
nd in every line OF her pretty face,
i am SO sorry you will have to be
isappointed."
'Disappointed2 How so, Miss Lu
ia?" asked the gentleman, pausing alb
uptly on his way to the drawing
oom
'Why," said Lucia. coloring with
Embarrassment, "Flossie has gone
'ut with Colonel Waterson"
"Nith Colonel Waterson?"
Alter uttering that surprised exclam-
ltion, Gerald Cosgrove stood for a
moment in mortified silence.
A deep, red flush mounted to his
row, and he bit his lip with anger.
This was not the first time that
)eauritul Miss Flossle had placed him
such an unenviable position, and
made him an object OF pity to her
1lnd-hearted cousin.
But she had always managed to
smooth it over with pretty excuses,
ftpd to bind him still more firmly in
ner. chains.
: But he was growing weary OF it, and
lust now he felt strongly inclined to
free himself forever from the silken
letters of the capricious beauty.
With Colonel Waterson Of all men
in the world He was thoroughly an
cry and disgusted.
Miss Lucia" he said, after a mo-
ment's thought, Il had anticipated a
-='Very charming drive this evening, and,
you will take your cousins place,
we can have it after ALL My sleigh is
waiting at the door. Will you go?'
They were standing IN the luxuriant
drawlng-room and he was looking
down into her blushing, anxious face
with very persuasive smile.
$, Lucia looked up in startled wonder.
DO you really mea2 it, Mr. Cos,
. grove?" she faltered, her heart throb-
bing so loudly that she thought he
must surely hear it. IL am afraid
that Flossle wouldn't like it,
1--WE are not in honor bound to con-
suit Miss Flossies wishes in this mat
ter" he answered, rather haughtily.
- "She Is not SO Considerate of others.
Now run along, Miss Lucia, and get
ready" he added smilingly. Il shall be
very angry with you if you refuse"
IHc1a needed no more persuasion.
She hastened to her room, and in a
perfect maze OF sweet, bewildered hap
plness, enveloped her graceful form in
- Its pretty wraps,
Poor child, it was not often that any
OF Flossies handsome cavaliers was
SO kind to her
The shy, penniless orphan girl was
appropriate the lions share OF every
thing that she was only too grateful
tor a little attention from the one
- whom. above all others, she admired
and-loved, Yes, though almost un-
acknowledged to herself, Gerald Cos
groves was the one heart whose pos.
session she had envied her Cousin
F1ossie.
Gerald lifted the light form into
bis sleigh and tucked the warm robes
about her with all the tender care
which he would have bestowed upon
the bewitching Flossie. Then, taking
his place beside her, they fitted away
into the starry night to the silvery
music of their own iingling, merry
bells.
What happy sleigh ride it was.
Lucia, gay and light hearted as a
bird, proved most delightful COM
panion, and Gerald was surprised to
find himself caring so little for his re-
cent disappointment. had always
now he wondered how he had so long
allowed the dashing beauty OF her
wealthy cousin to blind him to her
sweeter, rarer charms.
Meanwhile, another sleigh was flying
along the fashionable drives of the
city, in which sat Flossie Ringgold and
the gallant Colonel Waterson.
But the brilliant belle was scarcely
her own bewitching self this evening
She was unusually silent and dull;
for, to tell the truth, her heart was
sorely troubled
Not that she doubted her power
over Gerald. nor that she felt any
sorrow for having tricked him SO
shamefully.
But, when she reflected upon the
character and manners of the man
for whose disagreeable company she
had risked Gerald's displeasure, she
wondered at the madness which had
possessed her.
FOR the colOnel was unmlStakaOly the
worse for wine. She had not noticed
this fact before leaving home, but the
strong fumes of his breath, as he bent
Familiarity down to speak to her, and
his half-maudlin love talk soon dis
gusted her.
''Take me home, sir" she command
ed, as soon as she became fully aware
of the situation.
But she might as we'll have uttered
her commands to the wind.
The colonel persisted in prolonging
the sleigh ride through street after
street, and pouring his unwelcome pro-
testations of love into her disgusted
ears until, in sheer desperation, she
seized the reins with her own hands,
and vowed that she would call for
help if he did not at once return. -
''And it will be the last time" she
muttered to herself, in a bitter re-